Last Fall, the youth pastor and youth group of First Christian Church of Ash Grove began an emergency pantry program. Nick Wand, a member of the church, built the unique pantry and members of the church have been very generous in donations of food and money for the program. The idea is for anyone who needs food to just stop by and take what they can use. People are also encouraged to donate items when they have surplus. It has been used frequently this winter and has helped many people have a meal they might not otherwise have had. Ash Grove has a very healthy food pantry program that provides food for local citizens on a regular basis, but this is intended for those people who find themselves without food between those times. We are very grateful to our youth pastor, James Baker, for coming up with the idea and to our youth for looking beyond themselves and being interested in helping others.

Thanks to Pastor Tom Geer for this story and photo.